sunfish,
you are one bitter person and one bitter Australian if you would like to see an Australian icon such as QF go under. I don't agree with everything QF do, but hey, that's life.
I know lots of people that prefer to fly Qantas internationally, my friend works for a travel agent and i've asked her on this matter and she said she has people asking only to fly Qantas. I have flown Qantas internationally a few times and see no problem in them, the crew are great (i prefer crew who actually talk to you not like the asian carriers who are too polite and reserved to actually hold a conversation) and the "third world service" you actually refer to, has in my case been first class.
You are obviously one of these people that go out there trying to find faults in everything and everyone, which makes you a very sad person. A little advice, try smiling, look at the positive side of things and maybe then a little light will be shed on your little dark, depressive world.